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LEGENDS 



OF 



SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 



BY THE SAME AUTHOR 

LEGENDS OF SAN FRANCISCO 
RAINBOW STORIES 
ORIENTAL RAMBLES 
THE WIZZYWAB 



LEGENDS 

OF 

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 



By 
GEORGE W. CALDWELL, M. D. 



lUustrated By 
JANE JEFF^PSON FLIPPIN 



Published by 

PHILLIPS & VAN ORDEN CO. 

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. 






COPYRIGHTED 1919 

By 

GEORGE W. CALDWELL, M. D. 



im 24 1319 



iCI.A5;i5S63 



^ I 



MY CALIFORNIA 

There's a land that I knozv zvherc the oranges grow, 
And roses climb over my own bungalozu; 
The heliotrope curtains my zuindozvs zvith bloom, 
And ails every corner with sweetest perfume. 

The pepper trees sway with red berries gay, 
And tall eucalyptus trees border the zvay; 
The scent of the sage brush is keen in the air, 
And poppies and lupins are seen everyzvhere. 

There the soft balmy breeze has the tang of the seas. 
And Nature is trying her hardest to please 
With desert and garden and mountain and shore — 
Ah, never were beauties so clustered before! 

There's a land that I know where the oranges grozv, 
And roses climb over my own bungalow; 
And there I will live, i?i the glorious West, 
In my dear California, Land of the Blest. 



INTRODUCTION 

The human mind has in all ages sought a reason- 
able explanation for natural phenomena. The 
modern mind demands scientific demonstration, but 
primitive mind was perforce obliged to deduce a 
fanciful explanation based upon the supernatural, 
which was at least satisfying to his religious instinct. 
Such tales were handed down from generation to 
generation. Some of them, like the ones herein re- 
lated, were not readily confided to the white tres- 
passers on their territory, and hence have to this 
time remained unpublished. 

The following stories are founded on legends of tlie 
Soboba Indians of Southern California, with the 
exception of the one entitled ''The Echo" which re- 
fers to the tribe whose hunting grounds were in the 
region of the Merced River. 

The legend entitled 'The Blue Lizard" is the Indian 
explanation of the curious fact that the Blue Lizard 
is found only in the region of the San Jacinto 
mountains at an elevation exceeding 1800 feet above 
sea level. 



The legend entitled 'The Rumbling of Tauquitz" is 
the Indian explanation for the mysterious noises, 
coming from the depths of the mountain, which are 
occasionally heard. It may be interesting to mention 
that the rumblings of Tauquitz have been studied 
on the spot for months at a time by Government and 
University savants, but they have been unable to 
agree upon an explanation. 

In the legend entitled "The Lights of Elsinore" is 
found the Indian explanation for the v^ill-o'-the-wisps 
that sometimes appear over the marshy ground at the 
lower end of the lake, and also for the small white 
flower which they believe grows only in that locality. 

In other legends the animals are endowed with 
human attributes and supernatural wisdom. They 
possess the especial confidence of the Great Spirit, 
and under certain circumstances hold converse with 
the Medicine Man. To this day, educated as the In- 
dian has become, when a question of great importance 
is before the council and its decision is preplexing, 
a conclusion will not be made until the Medicine Man 
has gone into the wilds at night and consulted the 
Coyote, the Puma or other wild animal. When the 
Medicine Man has received a communication from 
the Great Spirit, through the intermediary of a wild 



creature, no Indian will dare oppose his mere human 
judgment against such an authoritative revelation. 

If in the translation we have lost the sonorous 
measure of the original as related by the Indian him- 
self, we have at least endeavored to follow his poetic 
imagery, and to preserve, through the medium of 
printed pages, a few of the beautiful legends of a 
vanishing people. 



C O N T E X T S 

The Lights of Elsinore 17 

The Stepping Stones 35 

The Echo 47 

x^rrowhead Hot Springs 63 

The Blue Lizard of San Jacinto 71 

The Rumblings of Tarquitz 75 

The Prince of Plenty 81 

How the Road Runner Won His Red Feather 93 



THE LIGHTS OF ELSINORE 

Theca was an Indian Princess, 

Daughter of the haughty Tondo, 

Chief of all the brave Sobobas, 

In the dim and distant ages 

When they ruled the broad savannahs, 

From the mountains to the ocean. 

Fairest was she of the maidens, 
Fairest of the comely maidens 
Of the tribe of the Sobobas ; 
Tall and slender, lithe and graceful. 
Flashing eyes of midnight splendor, 
Laughing eyes, yet kind and tender. 
Braids of glossy raven tresses 
Fell like heavenly caresses 
On her sloping sun-kissed shoulders. 

To her Father came the warrior r., 
Youthful, brave and handsome warriors, 
17 



18 Legends of Southern California 



Asking for the hand of Theca, 

Fairest of Soboba maidens; 

Brought their gifts of furs and ponies, 

Gifts of gaily painted ollas, 

Laid their wealth of beads of turquoise, 

Laid them at the feet of Tondo, 

Asking for the hand in marriage 

Of his peerless only daughter. 

When the suitors came before her, 

Theca saw not one among them 

Who could cause her heart to flutter 

With the tender recognition 

Of the mate whom she had dreamed of; 

Would not listen to their pleading, 

Turned her face with scorning from them. 

Then came Palo, Prince of Pala, 
Straight and slender, like an arrow. 
Small of hip and wide of shoulder. 
Holding high his head, commanding 
With a glance of eyes where smouldered 
Hidden fires of love, which only 
His beloved could uncover. 



The Lights of Elsinore 19 



When her eyes at first beheld him, 

In her heart there came a tumult, 

Swelling in her breast with rapture. 

Ran she with glad cries to meet him, 

Lifted up her face to greet him. 

"You have come at last," she murmured 

"The ideal of my dreaming; 

Long and patiently I waited, 

I have loved and loved you only, 

I shall wed and wed you only, 

I am yours and yours forever." 

"And you are mine," he said, and held her, 
Close within his arms he held her, 
To his throbbing heart he held her, 
Pressed her, kissed her and caressed her. 
While the tears of love were falling. 
Souls within them both were calling. 
To each other they were mated 
When the things that are were fated, 
And predestined by the Spirit 
Rulinpf in the earth and heavens. 



20 Legends of Southern California 



Hand in hand they went to Tondo, 
Haughty Chief of the Sobobas, 
Went to tell him the glad tidings 
Of their love so pure and sacred, 
Of their happiness so holy, 
Of their bright hopes for the future, 
Went with fond hearts gaily singing 
Of the blessings love was bringing. 
Went to make their glad confessing. 
Eager for the Father's blessing. 

Tondo listened while a tempest 
Gathered on his furrowed features, 
While his blood-shot eyes with anger 
Flamed within their sunken sockets. 
Then he rose in pride and passion 
To his feet, and flushed with fury, 
Crushed with cruel words the future 
Of the children who would love him. 

"What," he cried, "a child of Tondo 
Mate with any son of Pala, 
Ancient foes of the Sobobas, 
Victors in an ancient battle 
Fought between our Father's Fathers! 



The Lights of Elsinore 21 



Rather would I see my daughter 
Mated with a wild Coyote 
Than the Scion of the Pala ! 
Never while the sun is swinging 
Through the heavens shall my daughter 
Mate with Palo, Prince of Pala!" 

Then the lovers, sad and weeping, 
Bowed their heads before the Chieftain, 
Left the Chieftain in his tepee. 
Hand in hand but broken hearted. 
Wandered in the coohng shadows 
Of the sycamores and bay trees 
Growing by the sun-lit river. 
Butterflies were on the roses, 
Bees were gathering the honey 
From the flowers for their babies, 
Bluejays nested in the branches, 
Meadowlarks sang in their wooing, 
Turtle Doves were softly cooing 
Perching on their nests and billing; 
Creatures everywhere were filling 
Their short lives with love and beauty ; 
Yet, because of tribal duty, 
They, unlike the birds, were fated 
Never to be blessed and mated. 



22 Legends of Southern California 



Years went by, but never lessened 
Love between the parted lovers. 
Theca grew in grace and wisdom, 
Sad and wistful was her beauty, 
Less of earth and more of heaven. 
In her soul a light was burning. 
In her heart a tender yearning 
For the love that was denied her, 
Yearning for a child beside her. 

Turned her holy Mother nature 

To the homeless, loveless orphans. 

And the children of her people. 

To her came the little orphans, 

Drawn toward her by the magic 

Of her calm and sainted person. 

Nurtured by her love and w^isdom. 

Children grew in grace and beauty 

Of their bodies and their spirits 

Till her charges w^re more perfect 

Than the others of her people; 

And the Mothers watched and marveled. 

Saying the Great Spirit guided 

Her and guarded with his blessing. 



The Lights of Elsinore 23 



Came a tribal great fiesta 

At the village of Soboba. 

All the neighboring tribes were gathered 

There to honor the Great Spirit. 

Tondo stood before his warriors, 

Panoplied in all his splendor 

With his sacred bear claw necklace, 

With his royal robes and armlets. 

Theca, Princess of Soboba, 

As becoming one so royal, 

Stood receiving the obeisance 

Of the Old Men and the Chieftains. 

Beautiful she was and queenly 

In her robes of rarest feathers. 

Girt about with strands of wampum. 

In her breastplates and her bracelets, 

With the royal feather fastened 

In her hair of midnight blackness. 

Grouped behind her were her children, 

Orphans who revered and loved her, 

Decked in feather robes and flowers. 



24 Legends of Southern California 



Last came Palo, Prince of Pala, 
Now the Chief of all the Palas. 
Noble was his face and bearing, 
Royal were his robes and feathers, 
On his breast the royal necklace, 
Set with tourmaline and turquoise. 
On the scene there fell a silence, 
Silence and a tense foreboding. 
All the Chieftains and the people 
Knew the hopeless love between them. 
Knew the iron will of Tondo. 
Not a whisper broke the silence, 
Not a word by them was spoken. 
Waited they for sign or token 
That should pass between the lovers. 

Eyes of Palo, Prince of Pala, 
Gazed into the eyes of Theca, 
Saw in them her true devotion, 
Saw the love within them burning. 
Saw the soul within her yearning. 
Theca looked upon her lover, 
Her's alone; she saw no other 
In that company of warriors. 



The Lights of Elsinore 25 



In his eyes she saw the longing, 
And the love that was belonging 
To her only through the power 
Of the laws of the Great Spirit, 
Foreordained from the beginning. 
Slowly walked they to each other, 
Slowly walked with arms extended. 
Eyes into each other blended, 
Drawn as by a mighty magnet, 
Magnet of the Gods and Angels 
Which no human power can sever — 
Walked they till their hands were clasping 
And their lips had met in kisses. 

Then the magic spell was broken. 
Tondo, Chief and King, had spoken, 
Spoken in a raging fury. 
Spoken in a voice of thunder; 
"Take the Princess to her tepee. 
Seize this bold young Prince of Pala, 
War shall follow for presuming 
To oppose my royal orders." 



26 Legends of Southern California 



But Prince Palo was not taken. 
Round his head his heavy war club 
Swung like pine boughs in a tempest, 
Beating down all who attacked him 
Till they lay in heaps and windrows, 
Like the drift-wood on the sea shore. 
Then Prince Palo left the village. 
Left with challenge and defiance 
Of the boldest braves to take him, 
Vowing to return and carry 
Princess Theca to the Palas. 

In her tepee sat the Princess 
Weeping while her cruel Father 
Scorned her pleading for his mercy. 
"You shall be," he said, "imprisoned. 
Separated from your children. 
Who, though innocent, shall suffer. 
Scattered wide like frightened rabbits." 



The Lights of Elsinore 27 



Later came a maid to Tondo 
Saying "Theca and her children 
Have been carried off by Palo." 
Then the loud alarm was sounded, 
Beating on the wooden tom-toms, 
Beating, beating, beating, beating. 
Till their weird reverberations 
Came in echoes from the mountains, 
Waking all the sleeping village. 
Beacon fires were quickly lighted. 
In the ruddy glow the people 
Ran about in wild confusion, 
Like the ants upon an ant hill. 
Looking into every tepee. 
Searching every nook and corner. 
Still the tom-toms beating, beating! 
All the people joined the uproar. 
All the village in a tumult. 
Calling, calling to the children 
Who with Theca had escaped them. 
Still the tom-toms beating, beating! 
Further ran the warriors, vainly 
Searching for the missing Princess, 
Loudly calling, "Theca, Theca!'' 



28 Legends of Southern California 



Still the tom-toms beating, beating! 
O'er the plains and through the valleys, 
O'er the hills and up the canyons 
Ran the warriors bearing torches, 
Still the tom-toms beating, beating! 

Came at last the old King Tondo 

To the Pass of Granite Boulders. 

Looked he then on Minnechica, 

Lake of Elsinore the mystic, 

Where the gods have left their cauldrons, 

Springs of boiling mud and waters, 

Steaming springs with reek of sulphur 

From the underworld of spirits. 

Round the lake the mountains towered. 

Crowned by pine trees, slashed by canyons. 

Over them a full moon floated, 

Floated in the purple heavens. 

In the star incrusted heavens. 

On the lake the moonlight glistened, 

Glistened in a silver pathway. 

From the tules and the sedges, 

From the iris at the edges 

To the distant mountain bases. 



The Lights of Elsinore 29 



Silhouetted in the gleaming 
Moonlit mirror of the waters 
Stood the Princess with her lover, 
With her lover and the orphans, 
At the border of the water 
Where the purple iris blossoms — 
Stood like statues supplicating, 
Stood in prayer with arms uplifted, 
Supplicating the Great Spirit 
For assistance in their journey 
To the village of the Palas. 

Loudly called the Chieftain Tondo, 
Called upon his men to follow. 
In his heart was hate and anger, 
"Seize my daughter," he commanded, 
"Slay Prince Palo and the orphans." 
With exultant cries the warriors 
Ran toward the lake to seize them. 



30 Legends of Southern California 



Theca turned toward her father: 
"Hear me, Father, calm your anger, 
Lest forever you regret it. 
Lest in vain you shall repent it. 
Cease pursuing, stop your warriors, 
Be my Father, not my Chieftain, 
For the love you bore my Mother. 
Give your blessing on my marriage 
With Prince Palo, my beloved. 
For the stars that shine above me 
Shall not set until I wed him, 
Since the gods at last have led him 
To my side I shall not leave him. 
He has sworn, and I believe him, 
That our souls shall be united. 
For all time our faith is plighted ; 
We shall live and die together. 
Never part again forever. 
Speak, my Father, bless your daughter, 
Or our souls will haunt the water." 



The Liorhts of Elsinore 31 



But the Chief advanced, unheeding 
Of his daughter's tearful pleading: 
''Never shall my will be broken. 
Seize them, warriors. I have spoken." 
Then, too late, the Chieftain halted, 
Chilling horror came upon him, 
Loudly called he to his daughter, 
Called with anguish, vainly pleading. 

Out upon the silver pathway 
Of the moonlight on the waters, 
Sinking deeper — ever deeper — 
Hand in hand as to an altar. 
To their wedding went the lovers, 
Wedding of their souls forever. 
But the song that they were singing 
Was the death song of their people. 
Mournful death song of their people. 
And behind them walked the children, 
Like the bridesmaids at a wedding , 
Chanting in their childish treble, 
Mournful death song of their people. 
Strewing flowers on the waters, 



32 Legends of Southern California 



White and fragrant bridal flowers. 
Thus were wedded Princess Theca 
And her lover, Prince of Pala. 

When the warriors reached the water, 
y Silenced was the mournful death song. 
Gentle breezes moved the tules 
In a sad and eerie rustle. 
Like the whispering of spirits, 
Spirits breathing o'er the waters. 
Came a chilling fear upon them 
As they paused to look and listen. 
Paused to listen and to wonder. 
Then the moon, as though in sorrow, 
Hid her face behind a storm cloud, 
Hid her face and sent the darkness 
Brooding o'er the silent waters. 



The Lights of Elsinore 33 



Then appeared a light uncanny 

Like a point of fire unearthly, 

Floating o'er the murky waters, 

Then another, and another, 

Till they equaled in their number, 

Theca, Palo, and the children. 

And they danced above the sedges, 

Danced above the whispering tules. 

Danced across the gloomy marshes, 

Danced as children dance with gladness. 

"They are spirits," said the warriors, 

"Lo their ghosts come back to haunt us !" 

Then they fled away in terror, 

Chief and warriors fled in terror. 

To their village with the tidings. 

With the sad and tragic story 

Of the passing of the Princess 

And the brave and faithful lover. 

And the orphans who adored her; 

Of the coming of their spirits 

Back in dancing lights to haunt them. 



34 Legends of Southern California 



When the people on the morrow 
Went to wail their grief and sorrow 
On the shores of Minnechica, 
There they found a strange white flower 
Growing where the orphans gathered 
For their death march to the water. 

To this day that flower blossoms 
On the shores of Minnechica, 
White and pure is the flower, 
Like the spirits of the orphans. 
And on moonless summer evenings. 
Over marshes and the sedges, 
Where the purple iris blossoms 
And the wind blown tules whisper, 
Dance the souls of Princess Theca, 
And her lover with the orphans. 

O'er the lake forevermore 
Dance the Lights of Elsinore. 



THE STEPPING STONES 

The Gods had provided the hot springs, 
Fountains of steaming hot water 
Bubbhng up from the fires 
Deep in the heart of the mountain ; 
Hot springs for cooking the acorns, 
Fountains for heahng the people, 
Healing the sick and the crippled, 
Bringing back youth to the aged, 
Driving out Spirits of Evil. 
Battles were fought for the hot springs, 
Only the strongest possessed them. 
Happy the tribe in possession. 
Jealous the covetous neighbors. 

Peaceful and calm was the village 
Under the wide spreading live oaks. 
Smoke from the tepees was rising. 
Women were grinding the acorns. 
Children were playing and laughing 
As children have done in all ages. 



135] 



36 Legends of Southern California 



Maidens were carrying ollas 
Filled with the steaming hot water, 
Gracefully balanced on shoulders 
Gleaming like bronze in the sunlight. 

Wateka, the Chief's only daughter, 

Sat in the shade of the bay tree, 

The pungently odorous bay tree, 

And talked with her lover, Katona. 

Whispered as lovers have always 

Of love, and their dreams of the future, 

Laughter at intervals ringing 

In ripples of music between them. 

Into the village a runner 

Came with the speed of the whirlwind. 

Came with a shout and a warning. 

Ran till he fell at the tepee 

Of Zantah, the Chief of Soboba. 

''Cahuillas are coming," he shouted, 

"The warriors of the Cahuillas 

Are coming to conquer or kill us, 

Coming with weapons to fight us, 

To drive us away from our hot springs." 



The Stepping Stones 37 



Then came the shouting and turmoil, 
Weeping and wailing of women, 
Calling of Mothers to children. 
Beating of war drums, the war drums. 
Continuous beating of war drums. 
Rolling a thunderous clamor 
Into the far distant gardens, 
Into the valleys and canyons, 
Echoing back from the hillsides. 
Calling the warriors together, 
Calling the braves who were hunting. 
Or fishing in valleys and rivers. 
The thunderous din of the war drums. 
The shouting of gathering warriors — 
The terrified waihng of women. 
Mingled their clamors together. 

Forth went the warriors to battle. 
Armed with the long bows and arrows, 
Spears and the stone-headed war clubs. 
Carrying shields made of rawhide. 
Brandishing weapons and singing 
The battle songs of the Sobobas. 



38 Legends of Southern California 



When the Cahuillas were sighted. 

Stilled were the songs and the war drums. 

Silently forward they ventured, 

Creeping like snakes on their stomachs. 

Hidden by grasses and bushes. 

They fought in the ways of their Fathers. 

Fought with the cunning of foxes, 

With feints, and with traps for the ambush, 

Speeding the spears and the arrows 

Straight at the Cahuilla warriors 

Who were exposed for the moment 

In dashing across open places 

To hide behind tree trunks and boulders. 

No campfires were lighted that evening 

Unless as a trap for an ambush. 

So fought the valliant Sobobas 

With the intrepid Cahuillas, 

Fought for three days and fought bravely, 

Yet neither tribe won the advantage. 



The Stepping Stones 39 



To Yozo, the Chief of Cahuillas, 
A runner came bearing the message, 
''The Yaquis are taking the warpath, 
Coming to capture the hot springs ; 
Little care they who shall hold them ! 
Neither Sobobas nor Cahuillas 
Alone can contend with the Yaquis." 

Yozo then sent to Chief Zantah 

A messenger with a white feather 

Asking a council, and saying : 

"The Yaquis are coming to fight you. 

You cannot win if we join them. 

Let us unite, and together 

Our people will live at the hot springs. 

United, no tribe dare attack us. 

We can defend them and hand them, 

A heritage, down to our children. 

Our sons and our daughters shall marry, 

But I, Yozo, Chief of Cahuilla, 

Shall marry your daughter Wateka, 

Wateka. the rose of Soboba." 



40 Legends of Southern California 



A truce was declared to their warfare. 
A counsel was held 'round the camp fire. 
The Chieftains and wise men palavered. 
The terms of the peace were agreed on. 
The peace pipe was passed round the circle. 
Wateka was called for betrothal 
To Yozo, the Chief of Cahuilla. 

Wateka was not in her tepee. 
Wateka was not at the hot spring, 
Nor sycamore grove by the river. 
Wateka was not in her bower 
Among the low-sweeping bay trees. 
The call for Wateka resounded — 
Wateka ! Wateka ! Wateka ! 

Wateka had fled with Katona, 
Fled with her lover, Katona, 
Scorning the proffer of Yozo, 
Flaunting the edict of counsel. 
Only her heart should control her. 
Only her lover should wed her; 
Rather the hazard of fleeing 
To neighboring tribes who were strangers. 



The Stepping Stones 41 



Into the night fled the lovers, 
Into the moonlight that burnished 
The sycamore branches with silver. 
The twinkling stars were above them, 
The world with its freedom before them, 
And true love was singing within them. 

Over the pebbly streamlet. 

Over the sage covered desert, 

By thickets of lilac and heather. 

Hand in hand hastened the lovers. 

Lions and wolves and coyotes 

Looked in their faces and passed them, 

Passed them and would not molest them. 

Over the eastern horizon 
Spread the pink glow of the morning. 
Clouds turned to crimson and orange. 
Glorious ! Constantly changing. 
Then came the sun in its splendor, 
Drinking the mists in the valleys, 
Drying the dews on the grasses. 



42 Legends of Southern California 



Onward still hastened the lovers, 

Southward to safety with strangers. 

Round them the wild flowers were blooming. 

Hillsides were dappled with splashes 

Of mustard and deep golden poppies. 

Lupins of blue, white and purple 

Lay like a carpet before them. 

Violets, purple and yellow, 

Buttercups, lilies and iris. 

Paint brush, and primrose and wild rose 

Grew in a riot of color. 

Filling the air with their perfume. 

Under a live oak the lovers 
Paused to admire the flow^ers 
Spread like a bright colored blanket 
Over the hillsides and valleys. 
Light were their hearts, little knowing 
The turmoil their flight had created, 
Or that, even then, their pursuers 
Were following close on their footsteps. 



The Stepping Stones 43 



Onward they went through the meadows, 
Over the hills to a lakelet 
Formed in the course of a river — 
A lakelet in winter and springtime 
That sinks in the heat of the summer. 
Tall tules bordered the edges. 
Water fowls swam on the surface, 
Wild pigeons cooed in the thickets 
Of cottonwoods, wild grapes and willows. 
Now must they turn in their pathway, 
Retracing their steps to the hill top. 
To circle the lake at a distance. 

But hark ! There were people approaching, 
Shouting like men on the warpath. 
Shouting "Katona!" in anger. 
Calling "Wateka" with pleading. 
"Wateka! Wateka! Wateka!" 
"Surrender Katona, or perish." 
On came the men down the hillside, 
Baying like dogs on a fox hunt, 
Knowing the lovers were helpless. 
Knowing they could not escape them. 



44 Legends of Southern California 



Then turned the lovers in anguish, 
And prayed to the Guardian of Lovers. 
Lifting their arms toward heaven 
They prayed "Oh, Great Spirit defend us. 
Thou, who hast twined its together, 
Binding our hearts to each other, 
Do not desert us, but save ics. 
Show us the way to escape them." 

A ripphng came in the waters, 
A tinkling sound Hke the laughter 
Of water sprites playing with raindrops, 
As up from the lake bed were lifted 
Stepping stones covered with mosses. 
Dripping with water, but forming 
A pathway as straight as an arrow 
To the opposite bank of the lakelet. 
Over the stepping stones lightly 
Ran the two lovers with laughter, 
But when the pursuers attempted 
To follow the stepping stones vanished. 
Plunging them all in the water. 



The Stepping Stones 45 



The lovers escaped and were married, 
And happily lived with each other 
For many years in a far country, 
Thanking the Guardian of Lovers. 

The stepping stones covered with mosses 
Appear to this day in the springtime 
When lovers eloping shall need them, 
And woe to whoever pursues them ! 



THE ECHO 

In a barren desert country 

Lived the tribe of the Wa-wo-na. 

On their plains was sand and sage brush, 

On their hillsides, rock and heather; 

Blizzards chilled them in the winter, 

Scorching winds in summer burned them. 

Like the country that they lived in, 
Grim and cruel were the people. 
All their lives were spent in fighting, 
Fighting for a mere existence, 
For the food for their subsistence ; 
Ever watchful for a foeman 
Or a serpent to destroy them. 
When not fighting with their neighbors 
They were fighting with each other ; 
Killing beasts and birds for pleasure, 
Not for food, nor furs, nor feathers. 



147] 



48 Legends of Southern California 



Little wonder that their natures 
Grew vindictive, harsh and cruel; 
Knew they naught of love nor kindness, 
Even love for little children. 

For that reason the Great Spirit 
Looked with frowning down upon them 
And, to show his dire displeasure, 
Beckoned to their unborn children 
To remain among the Spirits, 
Seeking not to find their Mothers. 

When six summer suns had faded 

In the snows and rains of winter 

And no children came among them, 

Chief and Old Men held a council 

To devise a potent Magic 

To appease the angry Spirits 

Who withheld the children from them. 



The Echo 49 



In the tepee sat the Council, 

Sat with bowed heads, sad of feature. 

I-pah, Chief of the Wa-wo-na, 

Drew upon his pipe of greenstone. 

Blew the smoke of the tobacco 

North and south, and east and westward. 

Then he spoke in weary accents, 

For his heart was sorely troubled : 

"Well you know our charms have failed us, 

All our magic is impotent, 

All our prayers have been unheeded ; 

Therefore, go I to the mountains 
To commune with the Great Spirit, 
Seeking wisdom from wild creatures. 
I will ask Old Man Coyote, 
I will ask the Bear and Puma, 
I will ask the wise old Night Owl, 
With the mournful voice, to tell me 
The commands of the Great Spirit." 

For a moon. Chief I-pah wandered 
In the forest of the pine trees. 
Calling to the forest creatures 
To give aid, and lend their counsel; 



50 Legends of Southern California 



But the forest creatures answered 
Him with snarls, and howls and chatter 
That their help was for friends only, 
Not for cruel, heartless people 
Like the people of Wa-wo-na. 

Came a time when the Great Spirit 
Heard the constant, patient pleading; 
Listened to the prayer of I-pah, 
Looked with pity down upon him. 
To a Grizzly Bear the Spirit 
Gave a message to deliver 
To Chief I-pah, in the night time. 
When he slept beside his camp-fire. 

From the shadows came the Grizzly. 
Grizzly sat upon his haunches, 
Leaned his back against a pine tree. 
Then he spoke in human language: 
'T will answer, Oh, Chief I-pah, 
I will answer, I will tell you 
Of the will of the Great Spirit, 
Father of all men and creatures. 



The Echo 51 



Long your people have forgotten 
That all men and tribes are brothers, 
Kin of all the living creatures, 
Sharing equally the favors 
Of the Spirit, their Creator. 
If you wish to save your people 
From extinction — hear his orders. 
Lead your people to the mountains. 
To the distant purple mountains, 
Where the snow-peaks gleam and glisten 
When the sun comes up behind them. 
Let them cease their wars and quarrels. 
Teach them kindness to each other; 
Let them learn to care for children. 
Learn to love and make them happy. 
Joining in their games and pastimes ; 
When he finds the parents worthy, 
He will send the children to them. 
He will send the children to them." 



52 Legends of Southern California 



When Chief I-pah told his people 
Of the message given to him, 
Rose their spirits in rejoicing, 
Hastened they to move their village. 
Ponies dragged the slender tent poles 
Loaded down with willow baskets 
Filled with pottery and blankets, 
Mortars, pestles, corn and acorns, 
Dried meat, furs and all the luggage 
Of a tribe in its migration. 

On they marched for seven sunsets, 
Over scorching, sandy deserts; 
Through the sagebrush and the yucca; 
Through the tules of the marshes ; 
Through the valleys of the live oaks; 
By the pleasant river borders 
Where the sycamore and willows 
Cast a cooling shade in midday; 
Over foothills; through the valleys; 
Up the ridges; to the region 
Where the fragrant breezes murmur 
In the branches of the pine trees. 



The Echo 53 



As they traveled the Great Spirit 
Marked their every thought and action. 
What a change had come upon them ! 
Cruelty had changed to kindness ; 
Cheering words were passed between them ; 
Strong men helped their weaker brothers ; 
Fathers carried tired children; 
Took the burdens from the women. 
When a Bear Cub crossed their pathway 
Weapons were not raised against it; 
Fawns were passed and not molested ; 
Nesting wild Birds were protected. 

As they camped among the pine trees, 
Came a woman from the forest 
With a babe upon her bosom ; 
111 she was, and faint with hunger. 

From their scanty store they fed her 
Of their choicest foods, and lead her 
To a place beside their camp-fire; 
Wrapped her in a robe of beaver ; 
Cheered her with a cordial welcome. 



54 Legends of Southern California 



As the days went by the stranger 
Grew in strength, as did the infant 
At her breast, now full and ample. 
"For your kindness," said the stranger, 
"I will lead you to a valley. 
Hidden in the mountain fastness, 
Where the Deer herds roam in hundreds, 
Feeding in the grassy meadows; 
Where the streams with fish are teeming; 
Where the corn will grow with vigor 
To supply your food for winter." 

"Who are you?" the Chief demanded, 
But the woman only answered: 
"I am she who bears an infant, 
Sent to guide you by the Spirit, 
Should you prove that you are worthy !" 

Onward then the tribe proceeded; 
For two suns they traveled onward 
Till they stood upon a cliff top. 
Far below them lay a valley 
Of such wondrous, peaceful beauty. 
That they stood in awe and wonder, 



The Echo 55 



Long to contemplate the picture, 
Then along a narrow ga.wc trail, 
Made by Antelope and Bison, 
Deer and Elk and Bear and Puma, 
They descended to the valley. 

Round them towered cliffs of Granite 

Over which the rivers tumbled 

Breaking into clouds of vapor 

Where the rainbows flashed their colors. 

Through the parks, where Deer were grazing, 

Gently flowed a hmpid river; 

Fishes leaping in the sunlight 

Broke the surface into ripples. 

In the oak trees hung the acorns ; 

In the thickets berries ripened, 

Quail were calling. Rabbits leaping. 

Quickly rose their huts and tepees 
In the fragrant shade of pine trees 
By the gently flowing river. 
Thus the tribe of the Wa-wo-na 
Took possession of the valley. 



56 Legends of Southern California 



Gone were all their cruel habits, 
Gentle had become their natures. 

Many moons had grown from crescents 
Into round moons, then had faded, 
Yet the Stranger-Mother lingered, 
Guiding wisely with her counsel. 
Strong and robust grew the infant, 
Only baby in the village. 
All the women vied to serve him. 
Love him, hold him and caress him. 
When he smiled, the passing dimples 
Drew their laughter and their kisses; 
When he cried, they feared a sickness. 
When a tooth appeared they marveled, 
As if teeth were unexpected; 
"Baby has a tooth!" they shouted, 
Every woman came to see it. 
When he spoke his first word, "Mother," 
All the women gathered round him: 
"He has spoken ! He has spoken !" 
Went the tidings through the village. 



The Echo 57 



In his willow papoose basket, 
Padded with the fur of Rabbits, 
Women carried him with pleasure 
On their backs about the village. 
Came a day when one young woman 
Ventured further up the river, 
Gathering the golden poppies 
And the Mariposa lilies 
To adorn the baby's basket. 
Past the Happy Isles she wandered 
Where the stream, in rills dividing, 
Rushes babbling over boulders, 
And the quaking aspens cluster 
With their leaves all in a flutter 
At the kiss of mountain breezes. 
To a lake she came and halted; 
Speechless was she at the beauty 
Of the lake, wherein reflected 
Was the image of the mountains, 
Like a picture, though inverted. 



58 Legends of Southern California 



As she knelt to drink, the woman 
Saw her face reflected clearly 
From the surface of the water, 
And the smiling face of baby 
Peering at her from her shoulder; 
"Mother, Mother," cooed the baby. 
From the mystic Land of Nowhere, 
From the air, the cliffs, the mountains, 
From the open gates of Heaven, 
Came the sweet voice of a baby 
Faintly calling: "Mother, Mother." 
Startled by the eerie whisper 
She stood up and looked about her; 
She could see no living being! 
"It's the spirit of a baby 
Calling to me from the Heavens! 
Calling me as to a Mother ! 
Now, at last, my prayers are answered 
He is coming! He is coming!" 



The Echo 59 



Thus she thought, and hastened homeward 

With a new light brightly shining 

In her eyes, and told the women 

That a miracle had happened 

Through the magic of the baby. 

*T have heard a spirit baby 

Calling to me from the Heavens, 

Where the lake reflects the Heavens! 

Blessed am I, of all women. 

For a child is coming to me, 

Soon a babe will call me Mother!" 

Then another took the baby 
In her arms, and ran with eager 
Footsteps to the Lake of Mirrors. 
Would the Gods in pity hear her? 
Would they lay a blessed baby 
On her breast, so void and aching? 
When she stood upon the border 
Of the mystic Lake of Mirrors 
Hope and fear swelled in her bosom. 
Was the spirit of her baby 
Waiting for her in the Heavens? 



60 Legends of Southern California 



Would it hear her, hear her pleading? 

Would it answer to her calHng? 

"Help me, Gods !" she prayed, '*Oh, help me !" 

Then she spoke into the silence : 
"Hear me, baby, hear your Mother." 
"Mother, Mother," came a whisper! 
"Will you come to me, and love me?" 
"Love me," came a pleading whisper! 
"Come into my arms and nestle, 
Lay your head upon my bosom, 
I will love you, love you always." 
"Always, always," breathed the answer! 
"Will you come to me in summer, 
Winter, fall, or in the springtime?' 
"In the springtime," came the answer I 

With rejoicing came the woman 
To the camp and told her story. 
All the women went to listen 
To the spirit voices calling. 
In the village all was gladness; 
Songs were heard in every tepee. 



The Echo 61 



Loving hands were turned to braiding 
Papoose baskets made of willow, 
Or of rushes from the marshes. 
Dainty robes were made of Mole skin, 
Or the fur of Squirrels and Rabbits, 
Gaily painted, or embroidered 
With the feathers of the Bluebird, 
Redwing, Meadow Lark, and Robin; 
Brilliant colors, gaily mingled, 
Fitting wardrobes for the babies 
Of the women of Wa-wo-na. 

When the happy Mothers gathered 
In the shade of fragrant pine trees. 
With their papoose baskets near them. 
Prayers of thankfulness ascended 
For the many blessings given; 
For their children, for their valley, 
For the peace with all their neighbors. 
For the Bear that spoke to I-pah, 
For the stranger who had guided, 
For her infant who had tempted 
From the spirit land their babies. 



62 Legends of Southern California 



Then one asked the Stranger-Mother 
Whom they now called Yo-se-me-ta, 
'Tell me, Yo-se-me-ta, tell me, 
In the Spirit Land of babies, 
Waiting to be born of mortals. 
Are there names for every spirit?" 
"No," she answered, gravely smiling, 
"One name only for all spirits 
Who are waiting for their parents 
To grow worthy to receive them ; 
One name only shall you call them ; 
Call them Echoes, call them Echoes." 



ARROWHEAD HOT SPRINGS 

He was resting in the shadow 

Of the roadside eucalyptus, 

While his pony cropped the grasses 

By the ditch where waters murmured 

In a minor key, while flowing 

To the orange groves around us — 

Orange groves where golden fruitage 

Gleamed like lanterns in the verdure. 

On the air the heavy fragrance 
Of the orange blossoms mingled 
With the perfume of the roses 
Rioting in crimson hedges. 
In the fervent heat of mid-day 
Birds were silent in the branches, 
But the honey bees were droning 
At their labor in the flowers. 



m] 



64 Legends of Southern California 



Long he gazed toward the mountain, 
Where, upon a lower foothill, 
Was the outline of an arrow, 
Silver gray, against the background 
Of the dark green manzanita. 

**Yes," he said, at length, in answer 
To the question I had asked him, 
*'Yes, I know the ancient legend 
Of the arrow on the mountain. 
It has come from down the ages, 
From the dim and distant ages. 
When the arrow fell from Heaven. 
I have heard it from the old men 
Of my people — the Sobobas. 

W^hen the world was first created 
There were rival powers in Heaven ; 
One was God, the God of Goodness ; 
One, a Demon, King of Evil. 



Arrowhead Hot Springs 65 

God created all the flowers, 
Fruits and grasses, springs and rivers. 
Vines and trees, and friendly creatures; 
But the Demon made the cactus. 
Weeds and poison oak and thistles. 
Spiders, scorpions and serpents. 

God then made all human beings, 
Made then perfect, strong and healthy, 
With good thoughts and honest purpose ; 
Gave them power to rule all creatures 
Made by Him or by the Demon. 

Demon saw the human beings 

Given power to rule his creatures. 

And was filled with raging fury. 

In the darkness of his caverns 

Fires were lighted 'neath the cauldrons ; 

And he brewed, with wicked magic, 

Envy, jealousy and malice, 

Greed and hate, revenge and anger — 

Weapons, all, for self destruction ; 

And afflictions and diseases 

Of the mind and of the body. 



66 Legends of Southern California 



Then he dipped his smallest arrows 
In the broth, and shot them earthward. 

In the hearts of men the arrows 
Fell and poisoned with their virus. 
Some were struck with many arrows, 
Some, more fortunate, escaped them. 

Long and loud the Demon boasted 

Of his skill in evil magic, 

Of the power of his poisons. 

Of his strength to draw the bow-string. 

Then a plan of heartless cunning 
Darkened on his evil features, 
And his lurid caverns echoed 
With his words and fiendish laughter. 
"God has made his springs of water 
Sweet and clear for all his creatures. 
I will make one to my liking, 
Yet, no mark will I place on it." 



Arrowhead Hot Springs 67 



Then he took his blackest arrow, 
Charged with alkali and arsenic, 
Placed it on his bow and shot it. 
And he said, "Where falls this arrow 
Will arise a spring of water. 
Cold as snow, and clear as crystal 
With no other water near it. 
Thirsty travelers will find it, 
Thanking God for springs, and drink it, 
Then shall die beside the pathway." 

Where the arrow fell, there bubbled 

Up a spring of sparkling water. 

Birds flew down, and drank, and perished, 

Then the plants recoiled in horror. 

Dying, in a widening circle, 

Till, where blossomed fields and forests, 

Now are deserts, salt and barren. 

Where the creatures of the Demon 

Only, have their habitation. 



68 Legends of Southern California 



Then the God of Good was troubled 

For the sorrows of His people, 

For the ills the Demon sent them, 

For the evil springs created; 

So, He took His strongest long-bow, 

Fixed an arrow at the bow-string, 

Drew the bow and shot it earthward; 

And He said, ''Where falls My arrow 

Will arise a spring of water. 

Pure and good, and charged with healing 

For the ills of all My people." 

Through the heavens sped the arrow 
With a trail of light behind it — 
As a comet sped the arrow. 
And it plunged into the hillside. 
Burning in the earth its image. 

From the depths where lies the arrow. 
Bubbled up the healing waters. 
Steaming hot, and ever flowing. 
Forming pools, wherein the people 
Bathed, and found their health and vigor. 



Arrowhead Hot Springs 69 

Gone are now the Indian tepees 
That of old stood by the hot springs ; 
Gone the Indian to wander 
In his narrow reservations. 
But the pigeons still are calling 
From the sycamores at evening, 
And a restful calm is brooding 
In the quiet of the canyon. 
Still the arrow marks the hillside, 
Pointing to the magic fountain, 
As a sign that God remembers, 
And sends healing to His people. 



THE BLUE LIZARD OF 
SAN JACINTO 

There was mourning in the village, 
There was weeping in the tepees ; 
Mothers sat beneath the willows 
Holding empty papoose baskets, 
Wailing, wailing, swaying, swaying. 
Children sickened with the fever. 
Flushed to scarlet, paled, and perished. 
Priests of medicine were helpless, 
All their charms and herbs were useless. 

The Chieftain called to all his people, 

Called his people to a council, 

To a sad and somber council. 

For many days they danced and chanted, 

Danced in slow and sacred measure, 



1711 



72 Legends of Southern California 



Sang the solemn songs of sorrow, 
Sang, and burned the sacred pollen, 
Praying to the good Great Spirit 
That He send to them a magic 
That would save their little children. 
And the prayer of all Sobobas 
In a single voice united, 
Rose, and reached the Chief of Heaven, 
The Great Spirit in the heavens. 

But in all the tents of Heaven 
Not an angel was remaining 
As a messenger to carry 
Magic charms to the Sobobas. 
They were gone to every corner 
Of the earth to carry healing; 
People everywhere were calling 
To the Father for His magic. 

Then the Father, filled with pity, 
Reached His hand into the heavens, 
Stripping off the thinnest ribbon 
From the sky where it was bluest. 
Rolled it gently in His fingers, 
Fashioned it into a lizard. 



The Blue Lizard of San Jacinto 73 



And He gave to him the magic, 
Saying, ''Take it to My people; 
Be My messenger, Blue Lizard; 
Save the children of Soboba; 
Take the sunshine always with you; 
Travel only on a sunbeam." 

Then He sent the sky-blue Lizard 

Sliding down a slanting sunbeam 

To the village of Soboba; 

And the Lizard saved the children 

By the power of the magic 

That was wrapped about with sunbeams. 

When the Lizard's work was finished. 
When the children, well and happy, 
Romped around the camp as ever. 
He was lonely for the heavens. 
For his home among the star-clouds; 
But no sunbeam ever travels 
From the earth into the heavens. 
So the Lizard climbing upward 
Reached the sides of San Jacinto. 



74 Legends of Southern California 



There he prayed to his Creator 
For a helpmate and companion, 
And the Father sent another 
Lizard down upon a sunbeam. 

To this day their sky-blue children 
May be seen on San Jacinto 
Darting over sunny ledges, 
Basking in the brilliant sunshine, 
Never going to the valleys, 
Ever seeking to climb upward 
Till they reach the blue of heaven. 
No Soboba ever harms them. 
For the Heavenly Father sent them 
From the sky to save the children. 

If you wish to see the marking 

On the heavens where the ribbon 

Of the sky was stripped for making 

The Blue Lizard, I will ask you 

To observe on moonless evenings, 

The milky way that stretches over, 

Where the blue so thinly covers 

That the light shines through from Heaven. 



THE RUMBLINGS OF 
TAUQUITZ 

A rumbling came from the mountain, 
A rumbling, deep pitched and muffied, 
Like thundering heard from a distance. 
Yet, all the vault of the heavens 
Was cloudless, and blue as a sapphire. 
Motionless drooped the green branches 
Of pepper trees, decked with red clusters 
Of pungently odorous berries. 
Still was the air, as if Nature 
Was taking its mid-day siesta. 

Pedro, the aged Soboba, 

Turned to the eastward and listened — 

Gazed at the towering mountains 

That thrust through their blankets of forests 

Two rocky heads that were wearing 

The white frosted turbans of winter. 



[751 



76 Legends of Southern California 



"Tauquitz is angry," said Pedro, 
Tauquitz is rolling the boulders 
Deep in his cave in the mountain. 
Why do you ask me the reason? 
Why so persistently question? 
I know the ways of the paleface. 

You may deride if I tell you 

No Indian climbs to the summit, 

Nor sleeps on the slope of Mount Tauquitz. 

You may smile in superior fashion, 

And call it a dark superstition. 

No? You will not? Then I'll tell you 

Why rumblings come from the mountain. 

This is the legend of Tauquitz, 
Old as the lore of Soboba. 
Long, long ago, on the mountain 
Lived a great Giant named Tauquitz. 
He sat on his mountain and brooded — 
A lonely, old bachelor Giant. 
His brother on San Bernardino 
Was married to Mount Cucamonga; 
A row of their children, the foothills, 
Were growing in line to the ocean. 



The Rumblings of Tauquitz 77 



The Giantess on Mount San Jacinto 
Was handsome, unmarried and waiting, 
But Tauquitz was sullen and silent; 
He wanted a wife from the mortals. 

He turned to the east, where the desert 
Lay barren and baked in the sunshine, 
And wind-devils danced on the sandhills 
Useless to search in the desert; 
Beauty thrives not in an oven. 

He turned to the west. A fair country 
Lay blooming from mountain to ocean ; 
Villages dotted the landscape; 
Maidens were there beyond counting, 
But none were so fair nor so gentle 
As Mena, the Rose of Soboba. 

Tauquitz determined to win her 
And bring her away to his mountain. 
By magic and strange incantations 
He changed himself into a mortal, 
And sauntering down to the village, 
Courted the beautiful Mena. 



78 Legends of Southern California 



But Mena was deaf to the pleading 
Of Tauquitz, mysterious stranger, 
For she was in love with another — 
The boldest and bravest Soboba. 

Then Tauquitz, despairing of winning 
By fair means the beautiful maiden. 
Changed himself back to a Giant, 
And seizing her, ran to the mountain, 

Over the hills — through the valleys — 
He ran with the people pursuing. 
Shouting and brandishing weapons. 
Reaching the forest, the Giant 
Pulled up a pine tree and swung it 
Round and around in a circle, 
Causing a terrible whirlwind, 
That lifted the women like dry leaves. 
Blowing them back to their village. 
Tauquitz then ran to the foothills; 
Still the Sobobas pursued him. 
Tauquitz then hurled at them boulders. 
The thousands and thousands of boulders 
That still may be seen in the river. 



The Rumblings of Tauquitz 79 



Tauquitz then ran to the mountains; 
Still the Sobobas pursued him ; 
Tauquitz, then raging with fury. 
Stamped on the mountains and shook them 
Until the earth slipped from the bedrock 
In great avalanches upon them. 
Tauquitz then ran up Dark Canyon, 
And paused at the mouth of his cavern. 
Only one warrior still followed — 
The warrior-lover of Mena. 

"Stop!" the great Giant commanded — 
His voice was as loud as the thunder — 
*'Stop, or I shake down the mountain; 
Because you are brave I will spare you." 
"No," said the warrior, 'T follow, 
Defying your magic and power; 
I follow you into the cavern 
To rescue the Rose of Soboba." 

Tauquitz then straightened his shoulders. 
Lifting the roof of the cavern, 
Turning the mountain-side over. 
Closing the cavern forever, 



80 Legends of Southern California 



Covering deep in a white rock 
The bravest of all the Sobobas. 



He stands, to this day, in the canyon, 
Enclosed in a white rocky mantle, 
Waiting to rescue the maiden 
From Tauquitz, who lives in the mountain. 
His moans, and the wailing of Mena, 
May often be heard in Dark Canyon 
At night when the cool wind is blowing. 

When rumblings come from the mountain 
Sobobas say Tauquitz is angry, 
Because Mena mourns for her lover, 
And rolls the great rocks in his cavern 
To cover the sound of her weeping. 



THE PRINCE OF PLENTY 

Mahalla, daughter of the Chief of the Sobobas, sat 
before her tepee playing with her pets, a Coyote kitten 
and a young Rabbit. 

"My daughter," said the Chief, "again I say you must 
choose a husband. You have scorned the suitors of our 
tribe. You have driven away the son of the Chief of 
the Cahuillas. Now have I brought the son of the Chief 
of the Cocopahs. Him shall you marry." 

Mahalla glanced at the young man, but shook her head 
sadly. "No, Father, my heart goes not out to meet him. 
I am young. Give me yet a little more time to play with 
my wild animal friends." 

"It is time you should marry," said her Father, and 
withdrew. 

Mahalla arose and sought the tent of the old Medicine 
Man. She entered and dropped the curtain of deer skin. 

The Medicine Man was old, wrinkled and decrepit, yet 
kind and very wise in the ways of the animals. 

"Tonight shall it be, Father?" 

"Aye, my daughter. Tonight when the moon is full 
you shall learn the ways of the Rabbit." 

That night, when the village was still, and the people 
deep in sleep, Mahalla stole from her tepee. Joining 



[811 



82 Legends of Southern California 



the old Medicine Man they went together to the plain. 
Threading their way among the clumps of sage brush they 
finally reached an elevation of sand. The odor of the 
sage was in the air, the grey-green of the foliage was 
changed to silver by the moonlight. The stars twinkled 
in an azure dome. 

"This, as I have told you before," continued the Medi- 
cine Man, "is the call for the wolf; this for the Puma; 
this for the P'ox." Each he demonstrated with a call 
made in a low tone for her ear only. "Tonight we will 
converse with the Rabbit — a modest and kind-hearted 
animal well worthy of your friendship." 

Forming a funnel with his hands before his face the 
old man gave a peculiar call. Three times he repeated 
it. Then from the shadows of the mesquite thickets, 
from the groves of cottonwoods along the river bed, from 
the fields of sage surrounding them came the Rabbits 
with long and graceful leaps — Jack Rabbits, Brush Rab- 
bits and Cottontails. As they arrived they flopped their 
ears in salutation and sat on their haunches. 

When the circle was complete the Medicine Man ad- 
dressed them. "Behold, I have brought you a new friend — 
the Princess of the Sobobas. She will love you and care 
for you as I have done. I am an old man, my joints 



The Prince of Plenty 83 



stiffen. The Princess will help you when I am gone." 
The Rabbits bowed and flopped their ears. "But tell 
me," continued the Medicine Man, "how fares it this 
season with the Rabbits?" 

"Badly, very badly," replied an old grey Jack Rabbit. 
"See, we are thin and weak. Seeds and berries are scarce 
this season. We hunt for days to find a small amount." 

"That is bad. I am so sorry," said the Princess in a 
sympathetic voice, "tomorrow I will search the hills and 
plains and wherever I find wild food I will blaze a tree 
that you may see it from a distance. Every day I will 
search and leave a sign wherever I find the favorite food 
of Rabbits." 

"Mahalla is our friend," the Rabbits agreed. "We will 
tell the other animals of the good Mahalla." 

The next night the Medicine Man introduced the 
Princess to the Coyotes. They were much in need of wild 
carrots. Mahalla promised to hunt for them and to leave 
her sign where they could be found. 

On other nights she was made acquainted with the 
Pumas. They complained of the shortage of roots and 
berries. Mahalla would help them find fields where the 
berries grew more plentifully. 

Through the teachings of the wise old Medicine Man 



84 Legends of Southern California 



Mahalla became learned in the language of the wild 
things. She became the friend of them all. They would 
come at her call. Their food supplies were marked by 
signs which they understood and so they were able to 
live through the lean year in comparative comfort. 

Again her Father conversed with her on the subject 
of her marriage. *'You must choose a husband," he 
said. "Tomorrow you shall meet the Chief of the Yumas, 
and the Chief of the Hopi. They are great Chiefs 
and they sue for your hand. Choose between them. 
Time passes. I grow old. Before I die I would see my 
daughter's son, who will some day be Chief of the 
Sobobas. My Hne must live. Its fate is in your hands." 

"Father, I understand. Tomorrow I will choose a 
husband." 

On the next day Mahalla met the Chief of the Hopi. 
He was small. He was thin. His smile was continuous 
and vacant. Him, she decided, she could not wed. 

She met the Chief of the Yumas. He was big, gross 
and fat. He was harsh and gruff. He was repellant. 
Of a certainty she could not wed him. 

"How then, will the Princess be suited?" the Father 
stormed. "One is too fat, another too lean. One is too 
tall, another too short. One is too old, another too 



The Prince of Plenty 85 



young. Have done with such nonsense. You shall 
marry. Choose a husband worthy of the daughter of the 
Chief of the Sobobas." 

''Have patience with me, my Father. It is a grevious 
question. Tomorrow I will choose a mate." 

That night Mahalla went into the wilds and called her 
animal friends around her. When they had gathered she 
addressed them. "My friends, I have loved you and 
served you. Your intuition is stronger than mine. Give 
me your council. Shall I marry the Chief of the Hopi ?" 
A snarl of disapproval went around the circle. 

"Shall I marry the Chief of Yuma?" A fiercer snarl 
of disapproval. 

''Will another come — one of whom I have dreamed?" 
Purrs and bows came from the animals. 

The next morning as Mahalla was seated in front of 
her tepee deeply pondering on the problem of her mar- 
riage, she lifted her eyes and beheld a stranger coming 
down the hill in the pathway to her village. An Eagle 
feather was in his hair. His robe, rich, but much worn, 
was of an unknown tribe. His face was eager and alert, 
his eyes those of a dreamer. When their glances met 
his face lighted in a smile and he quickened his pace. In 
Mahalla's eyes came an expression of surprise, then they 



The Prince of Plenty 87 



softened and smiled. Her lips parted in a sigh, and she 
held out her hands with palms up. 

The stranger approached and laid his hands, palms 
down, upon hers. Long and intently they gazed into each 
other's eyes. 

'*At last I have found you," he said, almost in a 
whisper. 

"Long have I waited," she breathed in reply. 

"Long have I sought you among all the tribes, but now 
I am content." 

He sat beside her and, hand in hand, they conversed 
in low voices until the shadows lengthened. Then she 
arose and went to her Father's tepee. 

"I have chosen," she said, "my mate has come." 

"Who is he?" 

"I know not. Father. I only know that he is my 
mate — the mate I have waited for." 

"Send him to me." 

The stranger stood before the Chief. "Who are you? 
Whence came you? Where go you, and whom do you 
seek?" 

"I am a stranger. I come from afar. I go to all tribes. 
I seek my mate and happiness, or rather, I have been 
among many tribes, and I have found my mate. I seek 



88 Legends of Southern California 



no further. Here I remain. I have found her. She is 
your daughter, Oh great Chief." 

"And do you, a stranger, a wanderer, a dreamer, pre- 
sume to claim as wife the Princess of Soboba who is 
courted by the great Chieftains?" 

"I claim only Mahalla, my mate, by the right of love 
alone." 

**Mahalla is the Princess of Soboba." 

"Of that I know nothing. I only know she is my 
mate, and I am hers. The Great Spirit has so willed it. 
We know it." 

"Nay, bold stranger, it is not so. Begone." 

Mahalla, having overheard the stormy interview, hast- 
ened to her old friend the Medicine Man and poured 
out her story with tears. "Shall I leave my Father and 
my people," she asked, "and flee in the night to a far 
country ?" 

The wrinkled old man was silent. With his claw-like 
fingers he made marks upon a pile of sand. At length he 
said, "I know not. The Spirits give no sign. The wis- 
dom of Man in such matters is imperfect. You should 
consult the wild animals. Tonight, at the darkest hour, 
go you to the counsel place of the animals. Go with 
love and with faith. Go wearing only your royal breast 



The Prince of Plenty 89 



plates and the Girdle of your Soul. Call all the animals, 
They love you and will not fail you. They shall decide." 

Accordingly, at the darkest hour, Mahalla emerged 
from her tent and hastened to the desert place where no 
plant would grow — the counsel place of the animals. 
She called to the Puma, the Coyote, the Fox, the Rabbit 
and to all the animals and night birds. She called to 
the east, the west, the north and the south. They came 
singly, in pairs and in packs. There was a soft patter 
of padded feet as they trotted, leaped and loped to the 
circle. The wings of the Hawk and the Owl made a 
whirring sound as they circled in the air. The animals 
sat upon thetr haunches in a circle around her. 

"Hear me, oh, my friends, I love you, and have served 
you, and will serve you and help you for all time. Give 
me your aid and counsel now. My mate has called me. 
My Father opposes. Shall I abandon my people and my 
Father, and flee to a far country with the mate of my 
soul — the stranger ?" 

The animals wagged their heads and counseled to- 
gether. 

*'We would see the stranger," said the Fox, and all 
the animals purred their approval. 

'T will bring him," Mahalla replied. 'Tie will surely 
be waiting near my tepee." 



90 Legends of Southern California 



In a short time Mahalla returned hand and hand with 
the stranger. The animals looked into his face and 
whispered together. 'Tt is the Prince of Plenty. Happy 
the tribe that shall hold him." They fawned against his 
legs and purred their welcome. 

'Tell me," said the Princess, ''shall we flee together?" 

"Too late !" interrupted the Coyote, "the village is 
aroused. The warriors are pursuing." 

All the animals tipped their heads to listen. The angry 
shouts of men could be heard. Nearer and nearer they 
came. 

"Then we will die together," said the Princess, taking 
the hand of the stranger. "Death together is better than 
life without love." 

"Hear me, oh friends," said the stranger, "wherever 
our blood shall mingle together in the sand, that soil 
shall be sacred to our friends, the wild creatures. Here 
our blood will fall, and here will spring up the plants that 
furnish food to the wild creatures only. Plants that shall 
produce food abundantly so that there shall never be 
famine again for our friends. You, Puma, and you, 
Coyote, and you, Rabbit, shall carry the seeds and scatter 
them on barren spots and on hillsides, and wherever they 
shall grow that land shall be cursed for Man and sacred to 



The Prince of Plenty 91 



the wild creatures, for nothing that Man can eat will grow 
with vigor upon it." 

The lovers knelt upon the sand, clasped hands and 
bowed their heads. The warriors were upon them. The 
heavy war clubs fell and the blood of the lovers mingled 
in the sand. 

With a snarl of rage the Pumas and Coyotes bounded 
forward. "Go back to your people," they roared. "Go 
back and tell them you have killed our Princess. Hence- 
forth there shall be war between Man and wild creatures. 
We shall kill you and you shall kill us. Tell your Chief 
you have killed his daughter and her mate — the Prince 
of Plenty — who was the mysterious stranger. Hence- 
forth the Indian shall know want and famine, but from 
this ground, consecrated by the blood of the friends of 
wild animals, shall grow strange new plants to produce 
food for the wild creatures only. Wherever those plants 
will grow the soil belongs to us and will produce nothing 
for Man. The Prince of Plenty has provided for the 
friends of his mate." 

In due time there grew from the blood-moistened 
ground three plants never known before — the wild buck- 
wheat, the wild barley and the manzanita. They produced 
seeds and berries, foods especially suited for wild crea- 



92 Legends of Southern California 



tures, but not for Man. The Puma, the Coyote, and the 
Rabbit carried the seeds to the waste and barren places 
on the plains and on the rocky hillsides where they grow, 
to this day, producing abundant food for wild creatures ; 
and to this day there has been bitter warfare between 
Man, and the Puma and Coyote. 



HOW THE ROAD RUNNER WON 
HIS RED FEATHER 

ONCE upon a time — long before time — an Indian 
went to the Chief of the Soboba Indians bearing a 
strange tale. The Apaches, their eastern neighbors and an- 
cient enemies, had secured from a burning mountain a 
wonderful new magic called Fire. The Coyote had carried 
it to them. This Fire which consumed dry wood, not only 
gave out a pleasant warmth, but had the power of mak- 
ing the corn and acorns, upon which they subsisted, more 
delicious to the taste. 

The burning mountain was in the Land of the Apaches, 
far beyond the desert, and beyond the great river that 
flows from the deep chasm. The Apaches would not 
give or sell the fire to the Sobobas because of the bitter 
warfare which had existed between the tribes for gen- 
erations. 

The Chief called a council of all the tribe, and as was 
the custom in those days, all the birds and animals were 
invited, for they lived together in peace, and understood 
each other's languages. 

When the council was assembled the Chief addressed 
them, and in conclusion, said: 



[93] 



94 Legends of Southern California 



"We, too, must secure this new magic called Fire which 
brings the heat of the day to the cold nights, and which 
works a charm on food to make it more delicious. As 
our enemies, the Apaches, will neither give nor sell it to 
us, we must go through their country to the burning 
mountain to secure it. Who will be the messenger? He 
must be the strongest, for he must swim the great river. 
He must be the bravest, for our enemies are cruel, and 
the burning mountain is guarded by venomous serpents. 
He must be the swiftest to bring the fire while a spark 
still burns. Who will go?" 

There was much talkmg among the braves, but each had 
an excuse to offer. 

Then the Chief addressed the animals : "Man is not 
equal to the task. Among the animals many are brave 
and sagacious. Who will go?" 

All eyes were turned toward the Lion. 

The Lion lifted his chin from his outstretched paws, 
and flicked his tail nervously. *T like my food raw," he 
roared. "My mane keeps me warm." His roar changed 
to a whine as he added, "And I just know I am going to 
be afraid of fire." 

The Dog was called upon. "I am a friend of Man," 
he barked, wagging his tail, "and I like the idea of cooked 



How the Road Runner Won His Red Feather 95 



food. If Man will come with me I will do my best, but 
I will be too lonesome to go alone." 

The Bear was exempted because he had flat feet, and 
several animals of a retiring nature, who suffered from 
nervous chilliness of the pedal extremities. 

Then the council turned to the birds, and called for 
the Eagle. 

The Eagle flapped his wings, and swept the council 
with a glance of his fearless eyes. *T am a public spirited 
bird," he screamed, "and this fire may be a good thing for 
the people, but I am a mountain bird. I would be lost 
in the desert ; therefore I beg to be excused." 

The Dove begged to be excused because he was a bird 
of peace. Fighting was quite abhorrent to him, and be- 
sides, he was just married, and preferred to stay at 
home to bill and coo. 

The Owl contended that he was a bird of wisdom much 
needed in council. He preferred a desk position. 

The Chief was in despair. "Is no man, beast, or bird 
brave enough to bring the fire?" 

Into the circle walked a lean, brown bird of sprightly 
demeanor. He was a handsome bird. His head was erect, 
and his tail feathers stood up like a teapot handle. His 
legs were long and thin. He was especially proud of 



96 Legends of Southern California 



his legs. He was a Road Runner — and still is, for that 
matter. 

"I will bring the fire," he said in a steady voice. "I 
may not be wise or famous, but I am spry on my feet. 
I am at home on the desert, and I know how to fight the 
snakes. I will bring the fire." 

Loud and prolonged cheering followed this announce- 
ment. 

After a few words of thanks and advice from the 
Chief, the Road Runner started on his dangerous journey. 
He ran easily and swiftly with lowered head. In a few 
hours he entered the desert — a sandy waste, quivering with 
heat, and barren of verdure excepting for an occasional 
cactus and a few thorny bushes. At long intervals he 
passed small water courses with a thin fringe of willows 
and a narrow strip of cultivated land where the desert 
Indians made their homes. They paid no attention to 
him, for he was only a Road Runner, all bones, pride 
and feathers, and too tough to eat. 

When he reached the Great River he sat down to rest 
his aching legs, and to gaze at the broad waters rushing 
swiftly toward the Sea. He had never seen such a large 
river. It was far too wide for him to fly across, and he 
was a poor swimmer. How was he to get over? 




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Legends of Southern CaliforniaJ 



While considering the question he heard the sharp 
rattle of his hereditary enemy — the Rattle Snake. Guided 
by the sound he soon came upon the snake, who, having 
found the nest of a Wild Goose, was about to devour the 
eggs. The Road Runner attacked at once. When the 
snake turned and glided away, the Goose, having re- 
turned and witnessed the fight, wept for joy. 

"Thank you, thank you," she repeated in a quacking 
voice, the tears streaming down her bill. "What can a 
Goose do to show her gratitude and repay your kindness ?" 

"Are you a good swimmer?" 

"I may not be swift, but I am strong and considered 
graceful in the water." 

"Will you carry me across the river?" 

"I will, and bring you back too. It is a small service 
to offer one who has saved my home." 

"It will be a great favor to me." 

The Goose waddled into the water and the Road Run- 
ner clambered on her broad back. In a short time he 
was across the river, and having thanked the Goose, went 
racing away toward the burning mountain whose smok- 
ing cone could be seen in the distance. 

When he began to ascend the mountain he entered the 
region of the Snakes. He had not proceeded far when 



How the Road Runner Won His Red Feather 99 



he was challenged by a huge Rattler who coiled into his 
fighting position and shook the rattles on the end of his 
tail defiantly. 

The Road Runner seized a piece of thorny cactus in 
his bill and laid it in front of the Snake. Then he found 
another and laid it beside the first one ; then another, and 
another until he had made a circle completely around the 
Snake. 

The trap thus being laid, the Road Runner stood at a 
safe distance in front of the Snake and jeered at him, 
saying bitter and taunting things, and daring him to 
strike. ^, ■ 

The Snake became more and more angry until, being 
unable to control his fury, lunged full length at his 
tormenter. 

The Road Runner having expected this, stepped 
lightly to one side, and the Snake came down with a 
hard thump on the ground impaling his neck on one of 
the sharp thorns. Before he could extricate himself the 
Road Runner had finished the fight by driving his beak 
into the Snake's head. 

A short distance beyond he was stopped by another 
Snake whom he fought and conquered in the same way. 
All day long he was carrying cactus and fighting Snakes, 



100 Legends of Southern California 



until at evening when he reached the fire at the top of 
the mountain he was exhausted but triumphant. 

As he looked at the fire he remembered with regret 
that he had brought nothing to carry the fire in. 

All night long he pondered over the question of how 
he was to carry the fire. 

Early the next morning he was ready to return. He 
had the fire. And where do you suppose he carried it? 
You will never guess, so I will have to tell you. He had 
it concealed among the feathers of his ear. 

He ran down the mountain to the river. The Goose 
carried him across. He raced over the desert, and over 
the hills and never stopped until he reached the council 
place. 

There he shook his head over a pile of dry leaves. Out 
dropped a spark. The leaves blazed up. Little sticks 
were piled on, then bigger sticks, then big logs. That 
bonfire was the first council fire of the Indians. Around 
it they learned to parch corn and roast acorns — the first 
lesson in cooking food. 

The Road Runner was praised and thanked. The Chief 
announced that, as a medal of valor he should always 
wear in his ear the single feather that had been scorched 
red by the fire, and promised that he would always be 
protected by man. 



How the Road Runner Won His Red Feather 101 



That was ages and ages ago, but even to this day there 
are laws to protect the Road Runner, and anyone harm- 
ing him may be severely punished. 

His principal occupation now is killing Snakes, but ex- 
perience has taught him discretion, and he prefers to 
attack while they sleep. 

For amusement he likes to run in the middle of the 
road ahead of automobiles. 

If you should be able to catch one, which I very much 
doubt, examine the feathers around his ear. You will 
find concealed there a single small feather of the bright 
red color of fire. 



[the end] 



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